Why I Won’t Go to the World Cup

Posted on Jun 23, 2013

As Brazilians erupted in protest last week, filmmaker Carla Dauden posted a short video Monday explaining that preparations for the 2014 World Cup were draining her country of money that should be spent on the well-being of its people.

The international soccer tournament is expected to cost the Brazilian people $30 billion, more than the last three World Cups added together, Dauden says. This in a nation where illiteracy can reach 21 percent, 13 million people are underfed every day and many people die because of poor access to medical services.

Brazilian officials say the tournament and the Summer Olympics, which are due to be held in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, can provide the incentive the country needs to improve itself. “What?” Dauden asks. Why does a society need an incentive to spend tax dollars, which it collects from the people, on the people’s welfare? She explains that most of the Brazilians’ money will go to FIFA, the international soccer association, whereas money from tourists and investors will go to the owners of shops and businesses—people who already have money.

Additionally, police are going into the slums to forcibly remove gangs that are destined to return. Others are being kicked out of their houses to make space for the sporting events, Dauden notes.

The filmmaker is unambiguous about what Brazil requires. “We do not need stadiums. We need education. We do not need Brazil to look better for the world. We need our people to have food and health. We do not need more parties. We need people with jobs and a sustainable way of living.

“It is proven by all of the [money] we are now spending that we have more than enough money to change the situation,” she continues. “Or that at least we had it, until the World Cup and the Olympics.”